Winning in the education category, Pratt Institute’s Myrtle Hall is LEED Gold certified, making it the first educational institute in Brooklyn to receive LEED certification. The world renown art school’s new addition uses a solar passive design layout, and a green roof. Myrtle Hall integrates solar panels for its energy needs and emphasizes natural daylight throughout the campus.

The Brooklyn Bridge Park is a beautiful open space located in the downtown Brooklyn waterfront and is one of the most talked-about parks in the city. The park, which won in the Open Space category, has an abundance of green features. These include a stormwater reclamation system used to irrigate the park, green roofs on gate houses and maintenance buildings, and partially solar-powered lighting. Recycled and reclaimed materials were used to create park structures, and all of the lawns are maintained organically. All vegetation is native to this ecosystem, and bird and marine habitats were created to minimize human impact on the new habitat.

The Brooklyn Ecopolis won in the Mixed Use Building category. The Ecopolis, located in Williamsburg, is an education center built specifically with sustainable principles in mind. Its primary purpose is to serve as a green education facility for the community. The building will incorporate eco-friendly materials, and energy-efficient systems along with a variety of solar technologies to achieve overall efficiency.

One of the more unusual winners is the Newton Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, which won for Civic and Institutional. Although primarily known for water treatment and a rather disgusting environment, what is striking about this is the architectural design of the Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, designed by Ennead Architect. Recently, a visitor’s center was added, the first of its kind in NYC for a public infrastructure facility. With the help of the community and various groups, a new park will also be developed around the Greenpoint area in an effort to revitalize and restore the area.

The Brooklyn Brewery, located in Williamsburg, won in the Industrial category. The Brewery is housed in a converted warehouse, and it uses 100 percent wind-generated electricity. They also recycle all paper, plastic, bottles, and spent grain. All cold and hot pipes are insulated with high-tech foamglass insulation. The warehouse also has solar panels on the roof that provide about 1/3 of total power needs. An interesting renovation, that you wouldn’t expect to find at brewery.

The next nominee is going against the grain, preserving history while maintaining energy sustainability. Winning for the best residential building, The Mason Fisk, located on Berry Street in North Brooklyn, preserves the original structure while including various sustainable elements, something that a majority of new condos don’t do. Along with Energy Star amenities and other green features, many of the old wood ceiling beams were also recycled for use as furniture in the lobby.

The Building Brooklyn Awards this year have been exceptionally diverse and we’re glad that many green buildings and spaces are also being recognized. Further mention goes out to Phoenix Beverages for the National Grid Award for Energy Efficiency, and Wyckoff Exchange, for restoring an old warehouse specifically for use as an art space, rather than more condos. An old warehouse located at 28 Fulton Street won for Interior Renovation. The landmarked warehouse is a beautiful example of adaptive reuse. The gorgeous Erasmus Hall High School also underwent significant renovations and preservation upgrades, helping it nab the award for historic renovation.

Congratulations to all the winners, and we hope to see only green buildings on the list in the future!